Biomedical Precinct Extension: Biological Sciences

At UNSW we strive to continuously improve our position as a leading research intensive university in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Biomedical Precinct Extension will help us achieve this goal, delivering world class facilities for UNSW researchers undertaking biomedical and environmental research.

Key design features

This new 21,000m² building will house UNSW’s biological and environmental sciences. The space is designed to be flexible, supporting current research and teaching needs as well as providing infrastructure to support future technological advances.

The building will have capacity for more than 450 staff and PhD students and 200 undergraduate biomedical students.

Key features of the building include:

Biomedical undergraduate teaching facilities

Flexible research laboratory spaces

Specialised research equipment

Precinct loading dock, stores and utilities

Staff workspace.

The second stage of the project, coming now that the construction of the new building is complete, will be the complete refurbishment and modernisation of the existing Bioscience Building. The combined project will further enhance our Biomedical Research Precinct on the upper campus, complementing the Lowy Cancer Research Centre and The Wallace Wurth School of Medicine.

Objectives

Provide a contemporary, world class research and teaching environment as part of the Biomedical Precinct

Provide modern infrastructure for training the next generation of researchers and technically qualified graduates who will help maintain Australia’s connectivity and competitiveness in a rapidly advancing world

Create flexible and adaptable space for strategic recruitment, taking into account trends in technology, research infrastructure, and national and UNSW priority areas

Enhance effectiveness and interdisciplinary teamwork by efficiently connecting biologists, environmental, earth and biomedical scientists and reinforcing research synergies between the research groups, schools and faculties.

Project progress – June 2017

The construction of the new building (E26) is now complete and occupation of the building has been ongoing since April 2017.

Minor refurbishment of the lower ground floor of the adjacent Bioscience building link wing is currently underway and will be completed by September 2017

Undergraduate teaching in the new teaching laboratories on the Ground Floor and Level 1 will commence at the beginning of Session 2, in July 2017.

Stage 2 Project – Refurbishment of the existing building

Planning and design for the refurbishment of the existing D26 Biological Sciences Building is well advanced. The Development Application was approved by the Department of Planning and Environment in April 2017.

Enabling works, including the erection of site hoardings and services diversions, commenced in late May. The main construction activities, including demolition, will commence in the third quarter of 2017. It is expected that construction will be complete by early 2019.

Undergraduate teaching laboratories will be located on the Ground Floor and Level 1, along with a café and combined schools office. Contemporary shared research laboratories will be located on Levels 2-5 and an animal research facility will be located on Level 6.